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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:38-47

Here Christ and the Jews are still at issue; he sets himself to convince and convert them, while they still set themselves to contradict and oppose him. I. He here traces the difference between his sentiments and theirs to a different rise and origin (John 8:38): I speak that which I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. Here are two fathers spoken of, according to the two families into which the sons of men are divided?God and the devil, and without... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:43

Why do ye not understand my speech ?.... Language, idiom, dialect, and form of speaking, in a figurative way; for they did not know what he meant by liberty, and bondage, and by having another father than Abraham, or by his own procession and coming forth from God: even because ye cannot hear my word ; as they had no spiritual discerning and understanding of the doctrine of Christ, which showed them to be carnal, and natural men, and not regenerate ones, and the children of God; so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil ,.... Not of his substance, but by imitation and example; and as being under his authority and influence, his instructions and directions, and ready to follow after him, and obey his commands; the word "your" is rightly supplied, and is in some copies: and the lusts of your father ye will do ; the Syriac and Persic versions read in the singular number, "the lust", or "desire of your father"; by which may be particularly meant, his eager desire after the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:45

And because I tell you the truth ,.... And no lie, the whole truth of the Gospel, and particularly the truth of his divine sonship: ye believe me not ; to such an infatuation and judicial blindness were they give up, to disbelieve him, because he told the truth, and to believe a lie, that they might be damned; which showed them to be the children of the devil, and under his power and influence. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:43

Why do ye not understand my speech? - Την λαλιαν την εμην , This my mode of speaking - when illustrating spiritual by natural things: λαλια refers to the manner of speaking; λογος , to the matter or subject on which he spoke. For λαλιαν , the Codex Bezae had originally αληθειαν : why do ye not acknowledge this Truth of mine? A few other MSS. agree in this reading. Because ye cannot hear my word - That is, ye cannot bear my doctrine: it comes too close to you; it searches your... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil - Ye are the seed of the old serpent. See on John 8:37 ; (note). The lusts of your father - Like father like son. What Satan desires, ye desire; because ye are filled with his nature. Awful state of unregenerate men! They have the nearest alliance to Satan; they partake of his nature and have in them the same principles and propensities which characterize the very nature and essence of the devil! Reader, canst thou rest in this state? Apply to God,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:43

Verse 43 43.Why do you not understand my language? In this passage, he reproaches the Jews with their obstinacy, which was so great, that they could not even endure to hear him speak Hence he infers, that they are actuated and hurried away by diabolical rage. Some make a distinction here between language and speech, as if speech had a more extensive meaning; but I do not see it; (239) and besides, it would not be appropriate that the word which means less should be placed first. Many point this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:44

Verse 44 44.You are of your father the devil. What he had twice said more obscurely, he now expresses more fully, that they are the devil ’s children But we must supply the contrast, that they could not cherish such intense hatred to the Son of God, were it not that they had for their father the perpetual enemy of God. He calls them children of the devil, not only because they imitate him, but because they are led by his instigation to fight against Christ. For as we are called the children of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:45

Verse 45 45.But because I speak the truth. He confirms the preceding statement; for, since they have no other reason for opposing, but because truth is hateful and intolerable to them, they show plainly that they are the children of Satan. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:31-59

describe a further conversation, not with the same audience. The words record a vivid conflict between the Lord and the Jews who believed him, who accepted the Messianic claims, but persisted in interpreting them, not by his word, but by their own ideas of the theocratic kingdom, by their privileges as children of Abraham, by their national animosity to their nearest neighbours the Samaritans, by their inability to press behind the veil of his humanity to his Divine nature. Their faith was... read more

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